By Dave Brousseau

POMPANO BEACH – The Blanche Ely girls basketball team has had its ups and downs in seeking a third state championship in school history.

This year’s journey took a step closer on Friday following a convincing 64-38 victory over McArthur in a Class 5A Regional Semifinal.

Led by senior guard Teriyah McFadden, who scored 11 of her 13 points, in the second quarter, the Tigers rallied from a first quarter deficit.

Ely (19-5) advances to a regional final game at home against Sebastian River (21-3) on Friday at 7 p.m. The winner will advance to a state semifinal on March 11 at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

Once the Tigers outscored the Mustangs 26-11 in the second quarter for a 35-23 halftime lead, the game was all but decided.

“We came out and dominated and out bench came through, and I can’t ask for more,” said McFadden.

Joining McFadden were juniors Maiyah Sandifer with 13 points and Janiyah Dennis with 12 points and Sariyah Sabb with 11 points.

“McFadden and Isyss Mims both got in foul trouble as both went out of the game as we were making a run and slowed the game down,” said Ely coach James Green. “When they sit, we have to go younger.”

Christie Chicoye led the Mustangs (15-10) with 15 points, while Jasmine Horne added 12 points.

Blanche Ely girls are seeking 4th state title 1984,1992, and 2020.

FRIDAY’S REGIONAL SCORES

Class 7A: South Dade 59, Western 46

Class 6A: St. Thomas Aquinas 78, Mater Academy 30

Nova 59, Martin County 53

Class 5A: Blanche Ely 64, McArthur 38

Sebastian River 56, Dillard 54

FRIDAY’S REGIONAL FINALS
Class 6A: Nova (23-4) at St. Thomas Aquinas (19-8), 7
Class 5A: Sebastian River (21-3) at Blanche Ely (19-5), 7.<

PHOTO COURTESY OF Gary Curreri - https://www.newpelican.com/

Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and is a longtime BCAA Correspondent. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.